Activity 2 Rizal's Education at the University of Ateneo.

Instructions
Answer the following:

1. What was the reason why Rizal was almost denied admission to Ateneo?

In accordance with historian Ambeth Ocampo, the reason why Rizal’s admission
in Ateneo is almost refused it’s because he was late for registration and also he has a poor
health and short height that made him look too frail for the rigors of Jesuit education.

2. What was his prize-winning poem at Ateneo? Can you tell the message of the poem?

The winning poem of Rizal in Ateneo is “A La Juventud Filipina” (To the

Filipino Youth). The poem is all about the love of the country. The message of this poem
is dedicated to the youth of the Philippines which tells the importance of one’s love to his
nation or country and native language. Rizal wrote this poem because he wanted the
Filipino youth to use their abilities, skills and talents to lift up their own motherland. He
wanted to achieve and stand out not only for their success but also for the freedom,
success and greatness of their own home country.

3. Describe the system of education in Ateneo as experienced by Dr. Jose Rizal

The Jesuit System of Education is the system of education given by the Jesuits in
the Ateneo. This system was advanced from the other colleges. As Rizal’s experience in
the Ateneo wherein he was discriminated by the other students and even his professor just
because he’s not very good at Spanish and have a little knowledge about Spain. He was
also a newcomer or late enrollee as he was almost denied admission because of late
registration and that added up to the situation of Rizal. But because of the system of
education in Ateneo, he overcome those negative things and challenges he encountered
that time because the Jesuit system of education aims to train and build the student’s
discipline and religious instructions. Rizal applied this learnings from Jesuit system as he
continue his journey in Ateneo. It helps Rizal to become stronger in his life and learned
about the real value of education that became a way for him to be the most brilliant
Atenean of his time and graduate with highest honor.
4. At the age of 15 yrs old Rizal wrote a poem entitled?  And give the message and
importance.
Rizal wrote a poem entitled “In Memory of My Town” when he was 15 years old.
This poem is all about reminiscing or reflecting back on Rizal’s childhood. Wherein he
gives significance to the beauty of his beloved hometown which is Calamba and talks
about his precious moments and joyous memories while staying in this place. The
message of this poem is to remember our childhood, remember the place where we began
our journey of life. The simplicity, purity and beauty of our idyllic childhood will be our
source of inspiration towards success. The importance of this poem is for us to look back
where we came from. Show and express our gratitude and gratefulness to the place where
we lived peacefully and joyfully. We should always treasure the precious moments while
we can because may be tomorrow, someday, or in our adult lives, it will be filled with
turmoil.